The number always varies

 After several days of 8, 9 and some a bit higher number of 'readers', I am surprised to see a 22 on yesterday's post.  Do people just scan words in google and see what comes up to read a blog and comment on it at times?  No comments today, but I found the number interesting.  I write more for my oldest son, than for anyone else, I think.  He knows more about me than anyone does,  How? Because he reads what I write and I ramble in here about everything. Well, most everything.

My oldest son did bring a smile to my face last night. I always love hearing from him.  But I was amused when he txt'd me that his best buddy, whom I have met, said he wanted some of my pickles and jam I made.  So of course I said sure!  Then a little later I noticed that he also wrote that several others were wanting some too. Everyone wants free stuff and everyone wants home made stuff, right?  I didn't respond.  Not that I didn't want to make it and give it away, but it does take a lot of time to do, and it does cost for the jars, and for the products that go in them.  Happy to do it for this friend though, and if my son asks specifically for someone, I will do it for him.  Why do I do it?  Cause I love my son, and because I love to cook and bake.  I love trying new recipes.  

So - yes, I did work on the pickles last night and I'm not too sure about them.  They really are too small to 'slice', and cutting lengthwise they look odd, but I do have a few jars of those.  I can use up more cucumbers by slicing them.  But last night I just cut in half the mini cukes and put in the jars - and then heated up the 'brine' and poured over them.  It's weird how they float to the top. I'd suggest shaking the jar before opening it and getting the turmeric I put in it mixed in with the rest of the liquid.  Did 4-5 jars that way, I think.  Three jars did not seal so they are sitting in the refrigerator.  May check with the neighbors and see if I can give the rest of the mini cukes away - I think I have nine packages that I haven't opened yet.

I made a beeline to Walmart yesterday after watching church online.  I didn't spend as much as I thought I did - which is a good thing - and I bought two more cases of jars.  The cases have really gone up over the years - Ball jars are $19.99 a case of 12 now most places.  I did grab Walmart's off brand and I think they were $15.99 - $4 is $4, right?  I give them away as part of the gift so breaking up the price it isn't much, but continuously buying jars and giving them away gets expensive.  Plus, I will be making some salsa for gifts too - which I can't make until the week before Christmas. Got to make sure I have jars for that.  I have another salsa recipe that is really good so I may make some of those as well - and let people choose which one they want.  Still have so much I want to make and bake!  But just not a lot of time to do it.  I definitely do want to make more jam.  The batch I made last night only make 2 1/2 pints - and it took 2 cups of cranberries and 2 cups of strawberries (cut up!).  I do want to try and make at least one more batch today.  I can put it on the stove as I'm working and just run back and forth and check on it.  

I meet up with my boss and my favorite doctor (who delivered two of my grandchildren) and a former CFO I worked with for breakfast next Saturday.  I'll take something to my boss, but she will get the most of her things in another month.  The other two I probably will not see again 'this year' so will take them bread and pickles, and maybe jam, if I have several jars made.  I love this doctor; his wife always emails me how much they love my bread and pickles.  The CFO?  When I gave pickles to her when we worked together - she would sit and eat the entire pint of pickles for lunch!  Always cracked me up.  She loves taking my cranberry pumpkin nut bread and slices it lengthwise and puts in the toaster oven - then either butters it or puts cream cheese on it.  Sounds good, doesn't it?  I haven't done that, but it sounds good.  In fact, I generally eat very little of the bread - I love to bake it and give it away.  I want to bake some 'regular' bread and give away this year too - but don't know if I will have the time.  It all takes work and time and money, but I love doing it.  

Sitting here thinking of all the years I have been making salsa and pickles and giving away - and some have even bought them!  I think I used to sell them for about $5 a jar - and I remember one Christmas that extra money helped a lot.  Never did sell a lot, though.  Most don't like the 'sweet' taste in the salsa. I remember one year a girl asked for a jar and said her husband was allergic to garlic so could I make it without the garlic.  Well, I did, but don't recall hearing how it went over.  Another guy I used to work with wanted pickled cauliflower - and I did make it.  And he loved it.  You can pickle just about anything, I think.  But I think I'll stick to the pickles.  Just not sure how these mini-cukes ae going to go over.  I didn't add onions to them - so if one has a fork, they just pull out a chuck of pickle at a time and eat as a snack, I'm guessing, or drain the jar and set them out on a tray.  

I did not get any wrapping done yesterday, but after doing some canning all afternoon, sat down and watched a couple NCIS episodes on ION and then watched a Christmas movie on Up Faith and Family. All the while I was sitting and crocheting.  Oh, I was not real happy at Walmart yesterday.  They have basically done away with their sewing section and their yarn section. I walked all over the store looking for that area - and when I 'accidentally' found it - the lace that I was wanting to finish the quilt with - they had none.  What lace they had was not what I was wanting.  I'm hoping I can 'run away' for lunch today and head to JoAnn's late morning and get the lace that I need.  So disappointed for that is about what I'm down to and I'm finished with this blanket.  Thank goodness I don't have any more crochet gifts to make, but can focus on the quilts while watching movies with hubby.  When I'm not baking and canning, that is.  I have two more baby quilts to make after this one; they don't have to be done by Christmas, but would like for one to be so that I can give it to a granddaughter at Christmas. I've bought a couple things for our new baby and can't wait for her to arrive. 

John 17:17 (NKJV):  Sanctify them by Your truth. Your Word is truth.

The verb 'sanctify' means to set apart for a sacred purpose. Can also refer to making something or someone holy.  We generally say it means 'to set apart'.  And that's what God's Word does.  When we take His Word, the Bible, and apply it to our lives, we know that it is TRUTH.  God never lies and His word is Truth.  The Bible teaches us how to live and when we follow His Word, and obey and live by His Word, we are 'set apart' for His purposes.  Does that make sense?  It's more than just reading His Word, it is obeying and doing with God's Word says.    I'm not always perfect with that, and I'm guessing you aren't either.  I always have some area to work on.

Hubby was fussing at me yesterday.  I guess while I was out, he was trying to 'locate' me on Life 360, and couldn't.  At some time I must have marked being viewed as 'when using app' rather than 'always'.  To make him happy, I changed it to always so that he could track me. But I did tell him that I will block him if he tries to 'track' me every time I leave the house like he used to.  I told him that I would tell Pastor Paul if he does!  A few years ago we had it on our phones and all he did was track me every single time I left the house. I was working several miles away at that time, and he would text me if he saw I went some place for lunch and ask where I went.  Uh - too much tracking. I commented on it to Pastor Paul one time and he couldn't believe it - and got all over hubby about it.  Hubby deleted the app. And that's been great. It's not like I'm going somewhere I shouldn't. I usually tell him where I'm going.  But he lives glued to his phone anyway - and it's just another app to see where I am.  So why did I put it back on the phones?  Because hubby gets confused sometimes when he's out and I feel I need to track him when he isn't back when he should be.  He goes on numerous doctor appointments, some breakfasts and lunches anymore and I usually forget to even look at Life 360, forget I have it.  He should be back within a reasonable amount of time.  I'm hoping if something happens and he doesn't come back right away, I can track where he is and see if he is ok.  Always concerned about an accident happening.  After his comments yesterday about not being able to track me, I fixed the app where he could see me, but I also reminded him that if he starts tracking my every movement as he did in the past, I will delete myself from the app and he won't be able to see where I am.  Actually, what I told him was that I'd tell Pastor Paul he was 'doing it again' and let Pastor Paul get on his case. LOL

And with that, I need to get off here and sign in to the work computer.  It's Monday and I have lots to get accomplished today.  I don't know why I'm struggling so with getting things completed - probably because I don't want to do it?  Could be!  Hope that you have a productive day!

Blessings!

They weren't what I was thinking...

 When I saw 'mini cukes' on the order form, I was thinking about like, 6" small cucumbers.  Well, I got one case free, but I ordered two additional cases.  I need to make a big batch of pickles as I give them as gifts to coworkers and friends.  Was I in for a surprise when I looked into the cases!  These are the 3" really, really mini cukes and while they taste good chopping on, it's a bit more difficult to can them. But - I did try.  I did 10 pints and one quart of pickles last night - but some are regular size pickles too.  I took the mini-cukes and sliced them lengthwise twice and tried to do them the same way I do my bread n butter pickles.  I'm thinking later today that I might just make the juice and leave the mini cucumbers whole and leave out the onions - let them be pickled munching pickles.  What do you think?  Not too sure about these little BnB pickles; even though I sliced them lengthwise - they seem awfully small, but still doable for sandwiches.  I will be taking at least a case this afternoon to a birthday party to see if I can give some away.  There sure are a lot of mini cucumbers!!

I also got a case of cranberries.  What was I thinking?  I knew I was out of them in the freezer - but good grief - why did I get an entire case?   I have found what is called 'Christmas Jam' recipe and it does call for strawberries and cranberries (I have bags of frozen strawberries in the freezer!) and looks fairly simple - I think I'm going to try that as well for Christmas gifts to friends.  I guess because we never had the money to buy jellies or jam that my children don't eat it.  Probably a good thing as it is pretty sweet, but hubby does eat it.  I have another recipe that I used to make that I might try to find.  Most of the cranberries will go in the freezer for the cranberry pumpkin nut bread that I make.  I bet I can find other recipes as well for cranberries - and there is always the cranberry relish... if I can find 'Aunt Sue's' recipe for it, I may make it.

I actually wrapped a couple gifts yesterday and put under one tree.  And in my frustration at my male boss yesterday afternoon, I took off and went to Michaels to check out their latest sale, which ended yesterday, I believe the ad said.  And yes, I bought another tree.  This one is 'only' 4' tall and I plan to put it on the front porch.  No, I haven't put it together yet, nor did I tell hubby.  I has lights on it, but I don't know how we can plug it in - and that's not the point - at least not this year.  I'm going to make it the 'wishing tree'.  I have had smaller trees the past two years on the front porch, they were real trees, which died, of course.  I have an idea in my mind as to what I want to do with this one and will see how I can bring it about. It's a silly thing from a movie I saw a year ago.  Wish I could remember the name of it but I can't.  But it was about 3 kids who grew up on a Christmas tree farm and two were sisters and the male was a friend.  One year they were all at the 'farm' and Grandpa told them to go to the 'wishing tree' and think of a wish.  They just touched a branch and made a wish.  Fast forward probably 10 years and the sisters were moved to another city - and one is engaged and decides she wants to get married at the Christmas tree farm like their grandparents did.  Well, long story short, the grandparents have passed and the farm is now under new ownership - and it just happens to be the friend.  And I'll leave the story there.  I may try and see if I can find it.  One of the sisters is a wedding planner and she was pulled into planning this wedding for her sister at the farm.  And love blooms.  I'll leave it right there.  Oh - their wishes?  They came true.

We have a great-granddaughter's birthday party to go to today around noon.  I haven't talked to my daughter nor granddaughter for a few days so I'm needing to contact to see what time they want us there. I think it starts at noon, but I usually try to get there early to help - but with all they have going on this morning for preparation, I think I'll stay out of it.  I'm excited that my granddaughter and family will be coming in from another city for the party - it seems like forever since I've seen them!  Can't wait to catch up with them.

My oldest son and his youngest son stopped by yesterday with the turkey and other items for the Thanksgiving lunch that will be here in about 2 weeks or so.  It was good to see both of them, even though it was a short visit.  I need to pick up a few things yet, but will wait another week before making sure I have everything.  He is taking care of nearly all of it - all I have to do is 'cook it!' - which isn't so bad as it is something I love to do.  In fact, last night after work we headed to Arby's for a quick 'dinner' and then I spent the next three hours in the kitchen working on the canning.  Time flew by and I was happy.  But when I stopped, I realized how tired I was.  Quickly ordered groceries and was lucky enough that they had one more slot open for pickup and I grabbed it.  At 7PM we hurried over to the store and they loaded groceries in my car.  And, of course, I realized several things that I did forget.  I think I will run to Walmart after the party and see if I can pick up the things I missed ordering.  I have been writing them down and not relying on my memory!  I finished up the canning I was going last night and we watched Christmas in Rockport last night on Up Faith and Family before heading to bed.  One would think that I would have been exhausted and slept all night - but nope!  Awake at 10:30, 11:20, other times I refused to look at the clock, 2:15; 3:30; 4:20 - and I finally got up.  And it's Saturday and I could have slept in!  Bummer!  Like I can sleep in at all anymore.  Been getting up early way too long for my body to stay asleep.  I'd just like for it to sleep all night.

We are still discussing our Christmas celebration with each one of the children.  There's only the youngest and his family that hasn't a conflict so we will probably leave them at Christmas Eve night.  The daughter is moving hers to, more than likely, the Saturday after Christmas as it will be just them otherwise. Her daughter and family are visiting relatives in another state over Christmas. My oldest son needs to discuss with family what they want to do - and I'm willing to make whatever work.  I just love cooking for them and being with family.  But I recognize the need for them to have their own traditions and enjoy their own families too.  And that's ok.  I'll take what I can get.  Seeing my family makes my cup full.

Psalm 32:8 (NKJV):  I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.

So many times, we think we know it all; that we know enough to make a wise decision - and sometimes we get lucky.  We do make the right call, we do make the right decision to act on.  But what about the times that we don't?  I can think back over many times when I tried to second guess myself and make the decision that I would come to regret making.  Have you done that?  You think you know best and yet - looking back, you realize that the decision or choice you made wasn't so smart.  I know it happens to me, and has happened to me.  

But what would happen if we took the time to ask God what He thought we should do?  What if we went to Him before acting on what we thought was the right choice?  We rush in with our decision because we want to get it over with - and yet, then we discover it may not have been the right one.  But if we WAITED on God to answer - sometimes His delay in answering IS our answer.  Or we may know quickly the answer should be 'NO' versus the yes we are wanting.  And sometimes the answer is 'NOT YET'.  I don't really like to wait, therefore sometimes I forge on ahead of things when I should wait upon God to supply the answer and put it in place.  Do you do that?

Say, for example, I rushed out today and bought all the other things I want to make for Christmas meals, and I am thinking fresh produce as the meat can go in the freezer.  If I rush out with my decision and pick up those items, you know what they will look like, even sitting in my refrigerator, by the time Christmas rolls around a bit over a month away yet.  They would be wilted and molded, probably!  I know not to jump ahead of myself when it comes to meal preparations - so why is it that I (or we) jump into decisions and do or prepare for things that perhaps God is saying 'NOT YET' on?  Or we don't even ask Him, we just do it, and then we wonder why everything spoiled.  Does any of my ramblings make sense?

I choose to ask God for His instructions and let Him guide me in to all things.  Words I want to say but shouldn't be said; seeking His wisdom He would tell me don't do it.  Rushing out to purchase things I can't afford but just because I 'want' them? Again, if I sought Him first, and waiting on His timing, He would either help me see that I don't 'need' it, (and probably save me lots of money) or He has something better for me.  I like something better, don't you?

And with that - I'm rambling - again - so will close this off.  I'm pretty sure hubby is expecting me to cook breakfast for him - after all, it IS Saturday... but I will tell him to eat oatmeal or cereal this morning as we will be having lunch at the party.  Maybe a protein shake will satisfy him for awhile. What are YOU having for breakfast this morning?

Blessings!